How could there ever be a man who could be Jia Chong's dog for the sake of fame, and a man who could not care about his own son for the sake of self-preservation?
Nowadays, Cao Mao's weight in the world is no longer comparable to that of Jia Chong.
He was extremely excited about the olive branch extended by the emperor.
He doesn't care about his reputation in Shilin, nor does he care about using any means.
The more times like this happen, the more people miss people like Man Chong. When Man Chong was still there, the wealthy people were honest, devoted themselves to the country, and even took the initiative to pay hidden population and food.
Of course, comparing someone like He Zeng with Man Chong would be an insult to Man Chong, and Man Chong's crime would not be that serious.
However, the same method has never been used.
Cao Mao felt that He Zeng might not have only one letter dedicated to him in his sleeve at this moment, and there might be another letter in another sleeve urging him to go to Xuchang to see the auspicious letter.
He Zeng is such a villain, capricious and treacherous, which are commonplace.
Those who can clear the ground for the regicide and flatter the regicide are worse than the regicide.
But such a person would not let Cao Mao have any worries. He would use it first and throw it away if it gets dirty.
Anyway, the other party is not a good person. If he corrects himself in the future and makes meritorious deeds, he can enjoy his old age in peace. If he still behaves recklessly, just use it up and then throw it away.
A smile appeared on Cao Mao's face, extremely satisfied with He Zeng's answer.
He gestured for He Zeng to sit next to him, took his hand, and said gently: "If I am willing to be a Han Dynasty warrior, can you please Zhang Tang?"
He Zeng immediately said seriously: "I am not as talented as I am, but my desire to repay His Majesty is far greater than him."
"good!"
Cao Maodang immediately ordered his ministers to come in and draw up an edict in person, worshiping He Zeng as Sikong and replacing Zheng Chong in charge of the Yushitai.
When this edict was sent to the Zhongshu Desk, it immediately caused shock to the Zhongshu ministers.
Hua Biao and Chen Ben arrived at Tai Chi Hall almost at the same time.
At this time, He Zeng had already left here and was preparing to deal with the officials.
"His Majesty!!"
Hua Biao and Chen Ben hurriedly bowed to see each other.
Cao Mao's face was no longer gloomy, and he smiled and asked them to sit next to him.
Unknowingly, Cao Mao's expression became more and more similar to that of his great-grandfather. There was always an inexplicable light in his eyes. Even when he was smiling, he looked a little oppressive.
Especially when he looked at people sideways, there was always an inexplicable fierceness in his eyes.
Hua Biao asked: "Your Majesty, why is He Zeng the Sikong?!"
"Yes, I have such an idea."
Hua Biao said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, He Zeng is definitely not a virtuous person, and it is even more difficult for him to hold a position like Sangong."
"Although today's government affairs are all handled by the Chancellor, the three ministers and nine ministers are still the cornerstone of the temple, especially Sikong, who can directly intervene in the actions of the Chancellor."
"Your Majesty, please do not be deceived by He Zeng. He seems to be loyal, polite, and filial, but in fact, these are just ways for him to gain fame!"
"He was extravagant in the palace and was suspected of tyranny everywhere. Moreover, when he was an official in the past, he flattered the powerful and suppressed and humiliated the powerless. Because his clan was strong and he was deeply respected. General Wei loves him so much that no one dared to reprimand him just now."
"Such a person cannot serve as an official."
"Besides, what talents and political achievements does he have? He has no knowledge of classics, no knowledge of military affairs, and no knowledge of peace and security for the people. He has been an official for many years, but has never proposed a usable policy for the temple or done a good thing for the local area. He just relies on flattery. The means have just reached the point where we are now!"
"Oh, is that so?"
Cao Mao suddenly said: "I remember that before Emperor Ming succeeded to the throne, he asked He Zeng how to govern the world. He said that to govern the world, you must first gain the approval of the people in the world, so that you can be loved by Emperor Ming."
"In the seventh year of Huangchu, he wrote to the Emperor Ming that he believed that local officials were rampant and asked to rectify local officials and appease the people. He was promoted to the rank of regular servant of Sanqi."
"In the second year of Jingchu, Duke Xuanwen went on a crusade against Liaodong. He once said in a petition that Duke Xuanwen was acting in a hurry and could arrange for a supervisory army, but the Ming Emperor refused. As a result, Duke Xuanwen went on a killing spree in Liaodong, making the Hu people more powerful."
"In the second year of Jiaping, Yin Mo, the commander of the Fujun Academy, took possession of farmland by force. No one dared to talk about it. He was also the first to impeach him, so that the other party did not dare to mess around."
Cao Mao just looked at the two people in front of him, and very skillfully told what happened to him before it even happened.
In order to deal with these people in the temple, Cao Mao read the information recorded in the royal library over and over again. On weekdays, he only read the information besides reading the memorial table.
Hua Biao was stunned at this moment.
What he just said about He Zeng having no ability seemed a little unreliable at this moment.
Character and talent are completely different things. Moreover, people are very complicated. Good people sometimes do bad things, and bad people sometimes do good things.
Chen Ben was the second to speak. After all, he was not the emperor's confidant and had a quarrel with He Zeng, so he had to wait for Hua Biao to finish speaking before he could continue to speak.
He said: "Your Majesty, although He Zeng has some abilities, he really does not have the political achievements to serve as the third Duke."
"It turned out that during the turmoil in Hebei, he never came to help His Majesty. Instead, he helped the thieves to cause chaos. He really shouldn't be allowed to serve as Sikong."
The smile on Cao Mao's face suddenly dissipated, and he looked at the two people in front of him.
"Then do you think Tao Qiuyi, your servant, can serve as the Third Duke?"
Hua Biao pondered for a moment. Tao Qiuyi was a kind-hearted person and had always been honest. He never participated in any fights and had a good relationship with the officials.
Hua Biao didn't like He Zeng very much, because he knew how bad this guy's conduct was. If he used such a person as the Third Duke, future generations would use this to mock His Majesty.
"Maybe Tao Qiuyi can."
For some reason, Chen Ben always felt that there was something wrong with this sentence.
He was talking about He Zeng’s contribution, why did he suddenly mention Tao Qiuyi?
Moreover, if Zheng Chong must be replaced, there are many people who can take his place. Cui Zan, Sun Yong, Zhong Yu, Xun Yi, Lu Qin, and Lu Zhi won't be able to take his turn even if they line up.
But why did the emperor suddenly mention his name?
Chen Ben wasn't sure, so he didn't dare to agree.
Cao Mao ignored him, just looked at Hua Biao, then took out a memorial and threw it to Hua Biao.
"Why can't I do it? Tao Qiuyi can do it. Take a look at this memorial."
Hua Biao picked up the watch and read it carefully.
Chen Ben had no intention of going up to take a look, and just stood aside.
Sure enough, the next moment, Hua Biao's face turned pale, his whole body started to tremble, he didn't dare to look down anymore, and he knelt down directly in front of Cao Mao.
"Your Majesty!! I am guilty!! I am guilty!!"
"I don't know what is loyal and good! I mistakenly believe in evil people!!"
This memorial was exactly what He Zeng had written to Cao Mao. Hua Biao had just said that Tao Qiuyi could be the Three Lords, but then he saw the memorial saying that Tao Qiuyi was preparing to rebel. This made Hua Biao's scalp numb.
I was so scared that I couldn't even speak.
Seeing Hua Biao's frightened look, Chen Ben knelt down in front of Hua Biao even though he didn't know what he saw.
At this moment, he knew in his heart that this servant Tao might be in trouble.
Cao Mao didn't look angry at all, he still had a smile on his face.
"You just said that Mr. He has no merit. He saw the rebels, reported the rebels, and dealt with the rebels. Is such merit enough to serve as the third prince?"
"enough!"
Hua Biao didn't dare to talk nonsense anymore.
Cao Mao shook his head, "I know what kind of people the ministers are. Mr. Hua, don't be afraid. Of course I also know what kind of person you are. This Tao thief thing has nothing to do with you. "
Hua Biao quickly expressed his loyalty at this moment, "Your Majesty, my past dealings with him were all because of government affairs. I have never had any friendship with him. He is such a traitor and should be cut to pieces."
Cao Mao looked at Chen Ben beside him with a smile.
"Mr. Chen, the same is true for you. Don't worry. But don't reveal anything about Tao Qiuyi for the time being. Sikong will handle it. Just issue the edict. If others ask, just say yes." Just do it as ordered.”
Both of them agreed and left the place in a hurry.
Zhang Hua stood not far away until they finished speaking and then walked to the emperor's side.
"Your Majesty, does the Yushitai need to send another person to keep an eye on He Zeng?"
"Why?"
"Although Mr. Zhong is radical, he has the character of a scholar after all. Even if he wants to kill people, he will not go too far. But it is different. In order to contribute to you, he will do anything. I am afraid that he will do too much. If you do, it will insult His Majesty’s reputation.”
Cao Mao said very calmly: "I promoted him, isn't it just to let him do things that Zhong Hui doesn't dare to do?"
Zhang Hua said helplessly: "Your Majesty, in order to achieve meritorious service, you will definitely resort to any means, beat him up, frame him, or even use the cruelest punishment to kill the minister."
"Yes, I know."
"Your Majesty is a virtuous king. If he really does such a thing, I'm afraid it will ruin your Majesty's reputation and be despised by future generations."
Cao Mao laughed.
"The merits and demerits of right and wrong will be judged by future generations. What does it have to do with me?"
"As for the question of He Zeng, I am not clear about it. If there is a person like Goshawk in the Han Dynasty, I will not let him be a Sikong to treat shameless and vicious people. I can only find people who are more shameless and vicious than them. Come and deal with it.”
"You are a righteous person and have a good heart. You cannot do such a thing."
"Don't worry, if He Zeng goes too far, I will naturally take action to stop him."
Zhang Hua still looked worried. He didn't want his emperor to bear any bad reputation innocently. If someone was to be infamous for thousands of years, it would have to be those wine bags and rice bags, and the monsters and monsters would come. If not, there would still be us. How could your majesty bear the burden? !
